How To Use CPT Code 77014

CPT 77014 refers to computed tomography guidance for placement of radiation therapy fields. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes, and examples of CPT 77014.

1. What is CPT 77014?

CPT 77014 is a medical procedure code that describes the use of computed tomography (CT) imaging to guide the placement of radiation therapy fields. This code is used when a physician needs to determine the precise location and extent of a patient’s diseased tissue, as well as the surrounding healthy tissue that should be protected from radiation exposure during treatment.

2. 77014 CPT code description

The official description of CPT code 77014 is: “Computed tomography guidance for placement of radiation therapy fields.”

3. Procedure

1. The patient lies still on the examination table, which moves through the middle of the round CT scanner.
2. The X-ray machine in the circular scanner produces narrow beams of X-rays (1-10 mm of thickness) that pass through specific parts of the patient’s body.
3. Different tissues of the human body absorb different amounts of X-rays. The electronic ray detectors detect the amount of radiation absorbed into the body.
4. A special computer program processes the acquired data to create two-dimensional cross-sectional images of the targeted anatomical site, which are displayed on a computer monitor.
5. A radiation oncologist or other specialist physician interprets the image to determine the tissue’s condition (normal or diseased) and the volume of the treatment field where the radiation needs to be applied, as well as the healthy tissue area that should be protected from radiation.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients who are eligible to receive CPT code 77014 services are those who require radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer or other conditions. The CT imaging is necessary to accurately determine the location and extent of the diseased tissue, as well as the surrounding healthy tissue that should be protected from radiation exposure during treatment. This procedure is typically performed by a radiation oncologist or other specialist physician who is trained in the interpretation of CT images and the planning of radiation therapy treatments.

5. When to use CPT code 77014

It is appropriate to bill the 77014 CPT code when a patient requires radiation therapy and the physician needs to use CT imaging to guide the placement of radiation therapy fields. This code should be used for the CT imaging procedure itself, not for the actual delivery of radiation therapy. The use of CPT 77014 ensures that the radiation therapy is accurately targeted to the diseased tissue while minimizing the exposure of healthy tissue to radiation.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 77014, the following information should be documented in the patient’s medical record:

• Indication for the CT imaging procedure (e.g., cancer diagnosis, need for radiation therapy)
• Details of the CT imaging procedure, including the specific anatomical site(s) imaged and any contrast material used
• Interpretation of the CT images by the radiation oncologist or other specialist physician, including the identification of the treatment field and healthy tissue to be protected from radiation
• Any additional information relevant to the planning and delivery of radiation therapy, such as the prescribed radiation dose and treatment schedule

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 77014, it is important to follow the appropriate guidelines and rules to ensure accurate reimbursement. Some tips and codes that apply to CPT 77014 include:

• Ensure that the documentation in the patient’s medical record supports the medical necessity of the CT imaging procedure and its role in guiding the placement of radiation therapy fields.
• Bill CPT 77014 separately from the actual delivery of radiation therapy, which is represented by different CPT codes.
• Be aware of any payer-specific requirements or guidelines related to the billing of CPT 77014, as these may vary between different insurance companies and government programs.

8. Historical information

CPT 77014 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2007. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Similar codes to CPT 77014

There are several other codes related to CT imaging and radiation therapy guidance that may be used in different situations or for different purposes. Some of these codes include:

1. CPT 31627: Bronchoscopy with placement of fiducial markers for radiation therapy guidance
2. CPT 32553: Thoracentesis with placement of fiducial markers for radiation therapy guidance
3. CPT 49411: Ultrasound-guided placement of interstitial device(s) for radiation therapy guidance
4. CPT 55876: Transperineal placement of biodegradable material for radiation therapy guidance
5. CPT 77013: Computed tomography guidance for stereotactic localization

10. Examples

Here are 10 detailed examples of CPT code 77014 procedures:

1. A patient with lung cancer requires radiation therapy to target a tumor in the left lung. CPT 77014 is used for the CT imaging procedure to guide the placement of radiation therapy fields.
2. A patient with prostate cancer needs radiation therapy to treat the cancerous tissue. CPT 77014 is billed for the CT imaging procedure that helps determine the precise location and extent of the diseased tissue and the surrounding healthy tissue to be protected from radiation.
3. A patient with brain cancer requires radiation therapy to target a tumor in the cerebellum. CPT 77014 is used for the CT imaging procedure to guide the placement of radiation therapy fields.
4. A patient with breast cancer needs radiation therapy following a lumpectomy. CPT 77014 is billed for the CT imaging procedure that helps determine the precise location and extent of any remaining cancerous tissue and the surrounding healthy tissue to be protected from radiation.
5. A patient with head and neck cancer requires radiation therapy to target a tumor in the oropharynx. CPT 77014 is used for the CT imaging procedure to guide the placement of radiation therapy fields.
6. A patient with cervical cancer needs radiation therapy to treat the cancerous tissue. CPT 77014 is billed for the CT imaging procedure that helps determine the precise location and extent of the diseased tissue and the surrounding healthy tissue to be protected from radiation.
7. A patient with liver cancer requires radiation therapy to target a tumor in the liver. CPT 77014 is used for the CT imaging procedure to guide the placement of radiation therapy fields.
8. A patient with pancreatic cancer needs radiation therapy to treat the cancerous tissue. CPT 77014 is billed for the CT imaging procedure that helps determine the precise location and extent of the diseased tissue and the surrounding healthy tissue to be protected from radiation.
9. A patient with bone cancer requires radiation therapy to target a tumor in the femur. CPT 77014 is used for the CT imaging procedure to guide the placement of radiation therapy fields.
10. A patient with skin cancer needs radiation therapy to treat the cancerous tissue. CPT 77014 is billed for the CT imaging procedure that helps determine the precise location and extent of the diseased tissue and the surrounding healthy tissue to be protected from radiation.